Wanted: A loving, safe home for DeeDee

by jmaloni

Thu, Feb 13th 2014 07:00 am

by
Susan Mikula Campbell

Some stories are told in words. DeeDee's story is told in her scars.

The SPCA of Niagara wants to make sure DeeDee's story has a happy ending,
so it asked the Niagara Frontier Publications Classified Department to run her
photo as the "Pet of the Week." Dog lover and Classified Coordinator Karen
Keefe was so taken by DeeDee's harsh life that she asked that a separate story
be done in addition to the classified listing.

DeeDee, a chocolate brown pit bull mix with white markings, was rescued
Dec. 2 by Lauren Zaninovich, SPCA supervisor for adoptions/admissions, who also
works as the cruelty dispatcher and a rescue driver.

"DeeDee was one of my emergency night calls dispatched in from the Niagara
Falls Police Department. NFPD had stated that an animal had just been involved
in a very bad dogfight, and was at a location needing medical attention. Upon
arrival, DeeDee was curled up hiding among 2-by-4s and shattered glass along a
vacant house in Niagara Falls. DeeDee had sustained several injuries to her
face, legs and body," Zaninovich said.

Zaninovich knelt beside the dog that was curled into a cold, shivering ball
against a cruel world, and coaxed her into a leash. There was understanding in
DeeDee's face, Zaninovich insisted. "This is the only time I've felt an animal
really believed 'You saved me,' " she said.

The dog tried to hide between her legs to avoid other people as they walked
to the rescue van.

Although Zaninovich has photos of DeeDee being treated after rescue at an
emergency veterinary clinic, they are too graphic and bloody to run in a
newspaper.

One ear was nearly sheared off. There was a puncture wound on an eyelid.
There were teeth marks at the top of one leg that was torn nearly to her paw.
Her mammary glands (she apparently recently had puppies, according to the vet)
had been ripped partially away by the other dog.

Once the wounds to her face and legs healed after her return to the SPCA,
she was sent to a veterinary clinic for spay surgery and the mammary removal
needed because of her injuries.

Zaninovich and another agent did go back to the area where DeeDee was
rescued to see if any neighbors could identify her or her owner. Several
neighbors stated they had seen her wandering the streets and eating out of
garbage, but didn't know an owner.

At the SPCA, DeeDee, who is estimated to be about 2 years old, loves to
curl up on the dog bed and play with the toys in Zaninovich's office. She is
difficult to photograph with Zaninovich, because she is wriggling with joy and
lavishing kisses. She also likes to hang out with her other new human friends
at the front desk.

People who have seen DeeDee at the shelter are taken aback by her scars and
want to know what happened to her one eye - it's clouded over either from the
attack or a previous injury. They don't know that inside she's a beauty.

"She is a great dog! Loves to play, follow you wherever
you go, sleep on your lap, cuddle, housebroken. She has a goofy and amazing
personality to her that makes you laugh and smile. She is great with everybody.
Her only restrictions are other animals in the home. She does not feel
comfortable with dogs, and she thinks smaller animals are toys," Zaninovich
said.

DeeDee also knows basic commands like "sit" and "lay down," and is happy to
offer a "paw."

DeeDee's adoption fee is $110, but since she is a Niagara Frontier
Publications "Pet of the Week," her adoption fee will be $55. Call 716-731-4368 or
visit the shelter at 2100 Lockport Road, Wheatfield.

Zaninovich is intent on having DeeDee's story continue in a good, loving
home.

"If I could take her, I would," she said. "I told her I would look to find
a good home for her."